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Tim Tebow is returning to the sports world. He won’t need pads for his new gig, though.

ESPN announced Monday that the Heisman Trophy winner has signed a multiyear contract to serve as an analyst for the SEC Network, which will launch in August. Tebow will appear on the network’s weekly SEC Nation pregame show and also contribute to SportsCenter, ESPN Radio and elsewhere on ESPN’s various media entities.

“I am so excited that ESPN has given me this incredible opportunity,” Tebow said in a statement released by ESPN. “When I was 6 years old, I fell in love with the game of football, and while I continue to pursue my dream of playing quarterback in the NFL, this is an amazing opportunity to be part of the unparalleled passion of college football and the SEC.”

SEC Nation will premiere before the South Carolina-Texas A&M game on Aug. 28, 2014, and visit a different school each weekend. ESPN also said in its statement that Tebow’s position as an analyst “will not preclude him from continuing to pursue playing opportunities in the NFL.”

“Tim is a SEC icon with a national fan base and broad appeal. He will be a significant contributor to the compelling content we will deliver with the SEC Network,” said Justin Connolly, ESPN senior vice president, programming, college networks. “Tim brings a wealth of knowledge about the game, the conference and the passion among SEC fans.”

Tebow will make his ESPN debut Jan. 6, during the pregame coverage of the BCS National Championship Game between Florida State and Auburn.

I'm going to make a prediction here too then....1/2 of the people will say he's a boneheaded religious zealot, and should not be given a forum to preach from, and the other 1/2 will wish him well, and probably listen to/watch him...